I heard a rumor that in Hikifune, not far from Asakusa, there is a bar that serves really good Chinese food. Bars in Japan often serve simple meals, but a bar that puts out proper, full-on Chinese cooking is probably the only one of its kind in the country. I was told the food is quite excellent too, so I went one weekend evening.
The front entrance
It is on a main road, but not exactly an easy spot for people to find. Once inside, though, the place was packed. There is a 9-meter table made from a single slab of wood, an ichimai-ita as they call it, and the atmosphere is simply overwhelming. Legend has it they had to close the main road in front of the shop to traffic just to get that 9-meter table in.
Skytree cocktail
An original cocktail. Hmm.. well.. it was just okay.
Moscow Mule
Now this is a proper cocktail. Fitting the unusual atmosphere, the level is high.
Otoshi
It was salmon, and the freshness was a work of art.
Vegetable sticks
Maybe because it is a dish ordered at a bar, even the ice arrangement is different.
Sizzling rice soup
I went ahead and ordered proper Chinese dishes, and the level is on par with most first-class Chinese restaurants. They are not using luxury ingredients, but there is a lot of care in the cooking.
Chicken
Cooked chicken in sesame sauce, though I forget the exact name of the dish. It was fine, nothing more.
Pina colada
A pina colada really should be drunk at a summer resort..
Chinjao rosu yakisoba
One of the signature dishes here: chinjao rosu, stir-fried pork and green peppers, served over fried noodles instead of rice.
The noodles
Much tastier than it looks. For the concept of a quick, delicious bite and a drink before heading home late at night, a place at this level would be hard to find.
Laphroaig
I asked the bartender for something strong and he brought out a Laphroaig. I drank it with dedication.
Figs steeped in wine
Good as a dessert, and good as a snack with drinks.
Eating and drinking like this came to about 10,000 yen, so as you would expect from a bar in Japan it is not cheap, but considering the delicious food and drinks and the near-perfect service, the price felt reasonable. It is such a great concept for a bar that I will probably find myself going back now and then. If it were not so far away I would recommend it to Korean visitors too, but a bar like this is really one to visit with someone from the neighborhood.
Join the Discussion